TORONTO - Sears Canada (TSX:SCC) has appointed Ronald Boire as its president and CEO, a position he has held on an interim basis since he was moved in last October by the company's U.S. parent.

Boire (pronounced Boy-err) had previously been chief merchandising officer and president of the Sears and Kmart stores in the United States.

During his career he has also held senior positions at Toys R US, Best Buy and Sony Electronics.

Boire stepped in after Douglas Campell announced in September that he would leave for personal reasons.

Since then, Target has announced that it will close all its 133 Canadian stores — which have been competing against Sears Canada, Walmart and other retailers since the Minneapolis-based company made its first international move in early 2013.

Sears Canada responded to its rival's retreat by offering discounts to about 17,600 Target Canada employees for 16 weeks from Jan. 21 and announcing they'll be invited to special events such as job fairs across the country.